Five Venezuelans Guilty in US Court for ATM Jackpotting Scheme

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Five Venezuelan nationals have entered guilty pleas in a U.S. court for attempting to conduct ATM jackpotting operations, marking a significant case in the rising trend of financial cybercrime.

Guilty Pleas and Court Proceedings

The defendants, Luis Alberto Velasquez-Artigas, Royder Adrian Figuera-Perez, Javier Mejia, Jr, Gabriel Alexjandro Corales-Garcia, and Italo Lizandro Corrales-Carrillo, targeted ATMs in Wamego and Manhattan, Kansas. Court records indicate that in December 2025, the individuals traveled from Indiana to execute their scheme. The plan involved deploying malicious software to ATMs and remotely triggering cash dispensation. Both attempts failed, but surveillance footage captured the activities, leading to their arrest within days. All five were charged with conspiracy to commit bank larceny. Velasquez-Artigas received a nine-month prison sentence, while the remaining defendants await their sentencing.

The ATM Jackpotting Scheme

Execution and Failure of the Plan

The defendants’ scheme involved deploying malicious software to ATMs and remotely triggering cash dispensation. However, both attempts failed, though surveillance footage captured their activities, leading to their arrest within days.

FBI and DOJ Reports on Rising Threat

An FBI official highlighted the rising prevalence of jackpotting schemes, noting a significant increase in incidents nationwide. In February 2026, the FBI reported over 1,900 ATM jackpotting cases since 2020, with more than 700 resulting in losses exceeding $20 million. A separate case from the same month involved a Venezuelan national receiving a 96-month prison term for his role in a similar ATM theft operation. The U.S. Department of Justice emphasized the growing threat of such attacks, underscoring the need for enhanced security measures to protect financial infrastructure.

“The U.S. Department of Justice emphasized the growing threat of such attacks, underscoring the need for enhanced security measures to protect financial infrastructure.”

Legal Consequences and Broader Implications

Velasquez-Artigas received a nine-month prison sentence, while the remaining defendants await their sentencing. The case highlights the increasing sophistication of cybercriminal networks and the collaborative efforts of law enforcement to combat financial fraud. The FBI’s data underscores the urgency of addressing ATM jackpotting, which has become a lucrative and persistent threat to banking systems across the country.